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HOME AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCY: ��Preparing for the Climate Crisis and Extreme Weather in Lanark County and Smiths Falls

Climate Network Lanark

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HOME RESILIENCY INTRODUCTION

2024 was the hottest year ever on Earth in 100,000 years – humans have never lived in such hot temperatures

Recent flash flooding – Texas, Montreal – wildfires – Manitoba – extreme heat – Europe -- and climate impacts worldwide - Amazon, Africa, China, Canada, Europe, US east coast, US south
John Scheve, Meterologist�“Extreme weather events are not only getting more frequent and more extreme but are also more likely to last longer because the speed of the polar jet steam is slowing.”
After analyzing over 300 climate adaptation investments across 12 countries, the World Resources Institute found that, for every $1 USD equivalent spent on resilience, it yields more than $10 in benefits. They calculated an annual average return of 27% through healthier communities, stronger local economies, and more secure infrastructure.

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National Adaptation Strategy

Federal government released its National Adaptation Strategy in 2023

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/national-adaptation-strategy.html

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Canadian Emergency Preparedness and Climate Adaptation Conference

https://www.emergencyexpo.com/

Last one 2024, next Fall 2026 in Edmonton

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Provincial Emergency Planning

Emergency Management: responsibility of provincial government

Every municipality in Ontario required to develop an emergency management program, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act
Part of that responsibility includes informing residents about local risks and hazards and how residents can prepare for emergencies at home
Local municipalities just starting to integrate climate change in their Emergency Plans

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Lanark County Climate Adaptation Plans

Lanark County working on a Climate Adaptation Plan - paused

Engagement from Emergency Management Coordinators

Engaging the public

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Insurance Companies

INTACT Centre On Climate Adaptation University of Waterloo

Handout materials

Intact Centre

Insurance Bureau of Canada

Increased communication from the insurance sector on protective actions

IBC Climate Advocacy

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South East Health Unit

Health Unit has dedicated climate change staff – work with lower-tier municipalities to develop policies
https://healthunit.org/health-information/climate-change/
Tip Sheets https://healthunit.org/health-information/emergency-preparedness/

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Lower-tier Municipalities Emergency Management Plan

Mississippi Mills

Community Connect for fire
2 Seniors community emergency preparedness organizations:

Bridging Generations
Age Friendly North Lanark

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Critical Resilience Planning

Extreme Heat
Freezing Rain
Wildfires
Wildfire Smoke
Flooding
High Winds and Tornadoes
Power Outages
Emergency Preparedness Kits

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EXTREME HEAT

This area susceptible to EXTREME HEAT
Prolonged periods of high temperatures, high humidity. More frequent due to climate change.
Increasing health risks like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Strains energy systems from increased cooling demand, risking power outages. Vulnerable groups (elderly, those with pre-existing conditions) face greater risks during heatwaves.
To explore further: Climate Atlas of Canada
https://climateatlas.ca/
Forecast for this area:

Averaged 13 days of 30 degree+ days 1976-2005,
Forecast 32 days in the period 2021-2050 - virtually whole summer
2-day increase in heat waves to 6 days from 4
15 extremely hot days (+32 C)
Heat wave duration accelerating faster than climate change

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Wet Bulb Temperature

The maximum combinations of temperature and humidity that humans can tolerate without suffering inevitable heat stroke over 6 hours.

Occurs at a wet-bulb temperature of about 31 C across a range of environments above 50% relative humidity. That would equal 38 C at 60% humidity.

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Actions for Extreme Heat

Stay hydrated and close windows/drapes during the day
Use dehumidifiers and fans for cooling
Install an electric heat pump instead of standard air conditioners.
Know about your municipal cooling centres
INTACT Centre Home Heat Protection (Yellow)
Lanark County, Health Unit, Intact Ctr Extreme Heat brochures

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Long-term Cooling Strategies

Improve home insulation and air tightness - keep the cool in
Plant deciduous shade trees; maintain distance from coniferous trees
Use reflective roofing materials, light colours, not dark
Install outdoor shutters and awnings
Practice old-fashioned cooling actions – close up house during heat and sun, open up in cooler overnight/early morning temperatures

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FREEZING RAIN

Climate change models suggest that the region will experience more frequent winter temperatures around 0°C, leading to more freeze-thaw events and potentially more freezing rain. Specifically, one projection for the 2050s indicates a 33% increase in winter freeze events.
Hazardous walking – increased falls and injuries
Stress and mental health issues
Hazardous travel conditions
Power outages
Damaged trees

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Freezing Rain / Ice Mitigations

Footwear – Ice grips/crampons
Walking Poles
Winter Ice Tires
Salt – not the best answer – Temperature rated products
Woodstove Ash / Sand/Grit / Beet Juice / Coffee Grounds
Clear gutters
Communications

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WILDFIRE PROTECTION

Create defensible space around your home.
Retrofit deck components to be fire-rated.
Keep coniferous trees, vegetation and fire wood away from house
Homeowners FireSmart Manual – Local Fire Departments

https://foca.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Home-Owners-FireSmart-Manual-MNR-publication.pdf

INTACT Centre (Red)

Home
Community

Lanark County Fire Protection

Fire in West Perth, 2020

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WILDFIRE SMOKE

Canada’s Smoke Map

https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

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SMOKE PROTECTION

HOME MADE air filter systems - Corsi-Rosenthal box
One room with top-quality HEPA filter air purifier
Top quality furnace/heat pump/plenum filters

remove particles of <PM 10
MERV 13 FURNACE FILTERS

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FLOODING

Over 1.5 million Canadian homes located in areas of high flood risk.

90 % of Canada’s $2.9-billion average annual flood damage in 10 % of homes most at risk. Ottawa is 1 of 20 cities in Ontario

1.5 million homes not insured against flooding. Insurance companies can’t offer affordable coverage or because homeowners can’t pay high premiums.

In the past decade, floods across Canada averaged $800 million in annual insured losses. Much more than that is uninsured.

Canadians pay $3 out-of-pocket for every $1 in insured damage.

Flooding particularly can threaten basement apartments, which can be the designated low income housing in a subdivision like the planned Caivan one.

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Lanark Village FLOOD, 1998 - POST ICE STORM

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Flood Protection Measures

Elevate electrical appliances above expected flood levels

Install battery backup sump pumps; keep a spare on hand

Use landscaping techniques like rain gardens and permeable paving

Be informed - talk to insurance company about overland flood protection.

Check your house location with flood mapping with Rideau Valley or Mississippi Valley Conservation Authorities

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Additional Flood Tips

Direct downspouts away from the foundation
Maintain drains; don’t pour fats/oils down them
Ensure proper lot grading to prevent water accumulation
If on municipal water, check with your water utility about installing a backflow valve

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WETLANDS: Protect Against Fire and Flood

Protect against floods

Take up and retain excess water- protecting against floods

Protect against fire

Wet and harder to burn - fire barriers

CNL Wetlands flyer
Lanark County blessed to have some of the largest remaining wetlands in Southern Ontario
CNL Working with the County to develop a Natural Heritage Plan that would include mapping and protection of our remaining wetlands.

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HIGH WINDS AND TORNADOES

Derecho - May, 2022
High winds up to 190 km/hr
Tornado - July 24, 2024
An EF1 tornado with winds of 150 km/h touched down southwest of Perth, Ont., causing damage along a 33 km path.

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High Winds/Tornadoes

Map/graphic of tornado in TVT

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The remains of the barn on the Brady family farm in Tay Valley, Ont. are seen on July 26, 2024. A tornado destroyed the barn on July 24. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News)

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Preparing for High Winds

Secure outdoor items.
Reinforce doors and windows.
Close them tightly - not open
Add roof wind/hurricane clips - attach the roof to the rafters or trusses - a retrofit
New house construction – use 12” nails instead of screws - $200-300 cost increase
Listen to media warnings

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POWER OUTAGES

Battery life considerations of all those appliances that use batteries

Charge items in advance when you know of a power outage threat

Backup power options: Generators, electric power walls.

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EV and Emergency Power

Benefits of having access to an EV with Bi-Directional Charging (Vehicle to Load) capability
Can provide power for essential appliances during outages
A fully charged EV battery holds about 60 kilowatt-hours of electricity on average, enough to power a home for two days, or to power specific appliances for longer.

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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS KITS

Prepare an emergency kit with essential supplies for 72 hours (3 days), some municipalities calling for 5 days!
Local Municipal descriptions on website
Stay informed about emergency protocols from municipal websites

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CONCLUSION

County developing a Climate Adaptation Plan now.

Questions in Questionnaire
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